The answer is to conduct a root cause analysis during the next retrospective, recalibrate estimation techniques, and review the team’s definition of done. These three actions directly address a sprint velocity drop by targeting its underlying causes rather than just the symptom. Inaccurate estimation techniques, such as inconsistent story point sizing, often lead to missed velocity targets, so recalibrating methods like planning poker ensures realistic capacity measurement in a hybrid methodology. On the PMP exam, this scenario tests your grasp of adaptive planning and continuous improvement within a hybrid framework, where the retrospective is the key forum for diagnosing process issues. A common trap is to immediately add more resources or pressure the team, but the correct approach is diagnostic and collaborative. Remember the mnemonic “RAD” for this situation: Root cause, Adjust estimation, Definition of done—these three actions stabilize velocity without sacrificing quality.
PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of people — leading projects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is leading a software development project in an organization that uses a hybrid methodology. The team's sprint velocity has dropped for three consecutive sprints. Which THREE actions should the PM take to address this? (Choose three)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Review the team's estimation techniques and ensure they are accurate
Option A is correct because inaccurate estimation techniques can lead to consistently missed velocity targets. By reviewing and recalibrating estimation methods (e.g., story points, planning poker), the PM ensures the team's capacity is realistically measured, which is critical for sprint planning in a hybrid methodology.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Review the team's estimation techniques and ensure they are accurate
Why this is correct
Poor estimation may lead to unrealistic commitments and perceived velocity drop.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Remove impediments that are slowing the team down
Why this is correct
Removing blockers is a key servant-leader action to improve flow.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ask the team to work overtime to catch up
Why it's wrong here
Overtime is unsustainable and may lower morale.
✗
Increase the sprint length to give the team more time
Why it's wrong here
Changing sprint length may mask problems and disrupt cadence.
✓
Conduct a root cause analysis during the next retrospective
Why this is correct
Identifies underlying issues affecting velocity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse symptom relief (overtime or lengthening sprints) with root cause resolution, failing to recognize that sustainable pace and empirical process control are core to Agile and hybrid frameworks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Velocity is a relative measure of throughput, not a productivity target; a sustained drop often signals systemic issues like technical debt, poor task decomposition, or external dependencies. In a hybrid methodology, the PM must balance Agile ceremonies (e.g., retrospectives) with predictive elements (e.g., milestone tracking) to diagnose the root cause without forcing arbitrary schedule changes.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PMP question in full detail.
People — Leading Projects — This question tests People — Leading Projects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Review the team's estimation techniques and ensure they are accurate — Option A is correct because inaccurate estimation techniques can lead to consistently missed velocity targets. By reviewing and recalibrating estimation methods (e.g., story points, planning poker), the PM ensures the team's capacity is realistically measured, which is critical for sprint planning in a hybrid methodology.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.